Extremely simple hardware setup, just two connections, an “in” and an “out”:

Standard SMA female antenna port

USB 1.x type A male connection

Eleven discrete hardware front end filters including:

6MHz 3dB bandwidth (10MHz at -40dB) SAW filter for the 2m band.

20MHz 3dB bandwidth (42MHz at -40dB) SAW filter for the 70cm band

Third- and fifth-order LC bandpass filters for other bands

Front end LNA OIP3 30dB

Typical noise figures:

50MHz 2.5dB

145MHz 3.5dB

435MHz 3.5dB

1296MHz 5.5dB

Typical NFM 12dB SINAD measurements:

145MHz 0.15uV

435MHz 0.15uV

No additional drivers required for Linux, OSX or Windows

Integrated 5V bias T switchable from software

This is a complete redesign. To give you a flavour, the new FCD has well over twice as many parts in its bill of materials, (240 discreet components in fact!) To cater for this, the board is now a six-layer design (the original FCD was only double sided). To fit these extra parts in, they are soldered on both sides of the PCB. There are no fewer than eleven discrete front end preselection filters, including some serious SAW filters specifically chosen for the 2m and 70cm amateur bands. But that is just the start…

Comparison of the underside of the original FUNcube Dongle (at the top) and the new FUNcube Dongle Pro+

Comparison of the uppersides of the original FUNcube Dongle Pro and the new FUNcube Dongle Pro+

As part of AMSAT-UK's FUNcube satellite project, the FUNcube Dongle Pro+ is the "ground segment", or a radio receiver designed to allow anyone to try their hand at reception of satellites like FUNcube anywhere on Earth as part of a global educational collaboration project collecting information from space. The FUNcube Dongle Pro+ isn't just an enhancement it's a total re-design from the ground up.

The NEW FUNcube Dongle Pro+ plugs into your computer's USB port. It's compatible with many radio reception programs like Rocky, M0KGK, Spectravue and LinRad. The FUNcube Dongle also works with Windows XP, Vista and Windows 7 both x86 and x64. In addition, it is compatible with Linux and MacOS as it uses standard USB drivers already integrated into the operating system.

The new Pro+ gives unlimited access to the frequency range 150kHz to 1900MHz. (250-410MHz ommitted)

It's also all-mode: this means that it's not just limited to narrow band FM reception. As well as data, the FUNcube Dongle Pro+ will also receive many other narrow band signals including AM, FM and SSB. It now has amazing performance on 2m & 70cm thanks to high performance (and expensive SAW filters fitted on board.)

As part of AMSAT-UK’s FUNcube satellite project, the original FUNcube Dongle is the “ground segment”, or a radio receiver designed to allow anyone to try their hand at reception of satellites like FUNcube anywhere on Earth as part of a global educational collaboration project collecting information from space. The New FUNcube Pro+ takes the design to another level.

The original FUNcube Dongle concept: receiving information from space as part of a global educational collaboration project

Similar to a USB TV Dongle, the FUNcube Dongle simple fits into your computer’s USB port. It’s compatible with many radio reception programs like Rocky, M0KGK, Spectravue and LinRad. The FUNcube Dongle also works with Windows XP, Vista and Windows 7 both x86 and x64. In addition, it is compatible with Linux and MacOS as it uses standard USB drivers already integrated into the operating system.

The New Pro+ version gives unlimited access to the frequency range 150kHz to 1,900MHz.

It’s also all-mode: this means that it’s not just limited to narrow band FM reception. As well as data, the FUNcube Dongle Pro+ will also recieve many other narrow band signals including AM, FM and SSB. It will even receive TV sound channels

Absolutely staggered at what this gadget can do. Up and running in ten minutes. I can observe just what band activity is any mode and LF to beyond 70 cms. Opened up a whole new world of research and experiments. Worth every penny!